Robin Leslie Hawkins

Published on 09/07/2024

HAWKINS Robin Leslie The End of an Era It is with great sadness I have to inform you that Rob passed away peacefully in his beloved South of France, gazing at the waters of the Mediterranean and his boat. Only child of Leslie & Laura Hawkins, husband to Fiona, father of Mandy & Lisa and Gramps to Natalie, Mikaela and Josh. Great Gramps to Ellie, Taylor, Olivia, Freya, and Elsie, Logan, Kobi & Riley, 'Rob' to Phil, Neil & families. His love of boats and the sea started from an early age when he sailed paper boats with his father on the lake in Bournemouth Gardens. During his teens he was often found messing about on the water & racing Hornets at Xchurch Sailing Club. Although his first job on leaving school was office bound he soon hankered after a more practical, hands-on & independent way of life. For many years he worked as a fitter for Selwood Plant Hire Co. Dealing with breakdowns & emergencies 24/7 in all weathers and conditions, relishing in the challenges to be found, after which he branched out to develop his own business...Robin Hawkins Engineering, where he designed & built many small craft & barges for the overseas market. His love of the water continued in his leisure where he was regularly to be found in Poole harbour flying the blue Coastguard flag in his Lochin 33, LIANDA named after his two daughters, of whom he was immensely proud. After the sale of the engineering company, Rob founded the marine business. Hawkins Marine Ltd which soon emerged as a popular company, where moorings were laid & serviced, boats salvaged, supplies of all nature were delivered to the islands, especially Brownsea Island National Trust, Dorset Wildlife, Scout & of course Brownsea Castle who relied upon the regular delivery of heating fuel. He also made a small pontoon for the visiting seals off Round Island to rest on. Many of the jetties off Sandbanks were designed & constructed by Hawkins Marine Ltd, as were the sea defences protecting these expensive properties. So who was the power behind all this ? A quiet unassuming private man, who did not tolerate fools lightly & always worked to perfection. On retiring he leisurely cruised South through the French canals taking LIANDA to Port Camargue & sunnier climes. Throughout the winter months he transferred his woodworking skills from jetties to producing treasured pieces of furniture for the family. Despite his rapidly failing health he maintained an eye to perfection right to the very end. Robin died peacefully surrounded by close friends in Port Camargue, where he was cremated, then tenderly brought home by family. His ashes are to be scattered in Poole harbour as he wished. Robin Leslie Hawkins Born 16.04.1942. Died 20.06.2024 May you Rest In Peace.

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